Rick Berg Reflects on NDSU’s Move to Division I FBS
Rick Berg, who served as interim president of North Dakota State University during a pivotal moment, remembers the buzz that surrounded the decision to elevate the Bison football program from Division II to the Football Bowl Subdivision.
On February 8, Berg stood alongside outgoing president David Cook and athletic director Matt Larsen as they inked an agreement that would usher NDSU into the Mountain West Conference, a move that promised greater national visibility and a shift in competitive landscape.
Financial Realities and Strategic Vision
The transition was not without its anxieties. Berg admits to feeling a “nervous” anticipation about the financial lift required, yet he was buoyed by the initial funding commitments that covered the first two and a half years of the new league’s operations.
What excites him most, Berg says, is the prospect of heightened exposure. He believes the move will not only boost the university’s brand but also attract prospective students who see a future on the field that matches the academic rigor of the campus.
Collaboration is already on the horizon. Berg has urged NDSU’s researchers and provosts to reach out to their counterparts in Wyoming, UNLV, Nevada and Hawaii, seeking joint projects that could benefit from the new conference’s network.
The upcoming arrival of new president Marshall Stewart adds another layer of momentum. Stewart, who assumed office just last week, will soon sit on the Mountain West Board of Directors, bringing a fresh perspective to the league’s strategic direction.
Beyond the immediate football implications, the realignment reflects a broader realignment across collegiate athletics, echoing the recent upheaval in the Pac‑12 and drawing attention from media partners such as ESPN, which has already begun to spotlight the new conference dynamics.